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Letter to a pension provider after a death

Last checked 25 October 2026 against GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk. General information, not legal or tax advice. England and Wales.

When someone dies, each pension scheme needs to be told, and you need to know what was held and what’s payable. Here is a plain letter you can adapt, and what to send with it.

The letter

[Your name]
[Your address]

[Date]

[Scheme name]
[Bereavement team address]

Dear Sir or Madam

[Full name of the person who died], deceased (died [date of death])
Policy or member number: [number]
Date of birth: [date]
National Insurance number: [number]

I am an executor of the estate of [full name], who died on [date of death]. I enclose a copy of the death certificate. I understand they had benefits with you, and I would be grateful if you could tell me:

1. the value of the pension or policy at the date of death;
2. whether any lump sum, pension or other benefit is payable because of the death, how much, and to whom (including whether it is paid at the trustees’ discretion or to the estate);
3. whether any of these benefits count as part of the estate for Inheritance Tax, and the value you will report for that purpose; [for deaths on or after 6 April 2027]
4. whether any pension was paid after the date of death that needs to be repaid, or any amount is owed to the estate;
5. what you need from me, such as forms, proof of identity or a copy of the grant of probate, to deal with this.

I would be grateful for a reply within four weeks, as I need this information to value the estate and keep to the deadlines for Inheritance Tax. Please send any correspondence to me at the address above.

Yours faithfully

[Your name]
Executor

What to send with it

Then keep track

Note the date you posted it and chase if you haven’t heard back after four weeks. From 6 April 2027 the figures matter more, because most unused pension funds will count towards the estate for Inheritance Tax and personal representatives deal with reporting and paying it. From that date, regulations give a scheme 28 days from receiving a personal representative’s request to send the value of benefits that may be taxable, so your letter starts the clock. Read more in our April 2027 guide.

Can’t find a scheme’s address? Old statements, payslips and P60s usually name it, and the government’s free Pension Tracing Service can find contact details for workplace and personal pensions.

Executor’s Cashbook fills this letter in from the estate’s details, makes a PDF to print and sign, and puts a four-week chase date on its deadline board when you mark it sent. Letters are free to use.

Questions

Can I use the same letter for a bank or insurer?

Yes, with small changes. For a bank, ask for the balance at the date of death including interest to that date, and how to close the account. For a life policy, ask whether it was written in trust and who it pays.

Do I need probate before writing to a pension scheme?

No. You can, and usually should, write straight away. The scheme may ask for the grant of probate later before paying anything to the estate.

Who receives the pension death benefits?

Usually whoever the scheme decides, guided by the member’s nomination (expression of wish). That’s why most pension death benefits don’t pass under the will.

Fill it in for you. Add the scheme to the estate’s register in Executor’s Cashbook and it writes the letter with the person’s details, ready to print, then reminds you to chase after four weeks. Free, and your records stay on your device.

Open Executor’s Cashbook

Sources

More guides

This guide is general information about the rules in England and Wales, checked on 25 October 2026. It isn’t legal or tax advice, and rules change: check GOV.UK, or ask a solicitor or probate practitioner about your situation.